US initial jobless claims rise by 9,000 to highest in 6 weeks

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - The number of Americans filing first-time unemployment claims last week rose by 9,000 to 228,000, climbing to the highest level in six weeks, according to figures released Thursday by the Labor Department.

The expectation for claims was to come in at 225,000. The previous week's number was unrevised at 219,000.

The four-week moving average was 211,500, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 206,500.

The US economy generated 263,000 jobs in September, while the unemployment rate stood at 3.5%.